Ahead of iPhone 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max Pre-Orders, Media Sites Share Hands-On Impressions

[MacRumors]

iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders are set to go live at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, November 6, and just ahead of that deadline, media sites are sharing their hands-on first impressions of the new devices.

Image via The Verge​

The Verge, Engadget, TechCrunch and CNET have all been able to spend some time with Apple's smallest and largest iPhones ahead of when people can make a purchase. The sites aren't offering up full reviews at this time, but were able to visit an Apple location in New York to preview the new iPhones.

According to The Verge, the iPhone 12 mini is "really" small by the "standards of 2020 flagship smartphones." The smaller size is nice to hold, and iOS "scales well to the 5.4-inch display."

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is described as "a surfboard of a phone" like other Plus and Max-sized devices. Despite the size, it "doesn't feel too heavy in hand" and unfortunately, Apple isn't taking advantage of the larger display because there's no multitasking option.

Engadget said the iPhone 12 Pro Max "feels huge to hold," but the stainless steel and glass feels more premium than the iPhone 12 mini. Pictures looked great, but it was a controlled testing area so there's not a lot to glean from the camera tests at this time.

The mini, meanwhile, fit well in a hand and it was easy to use with one hand, unlike the Pro Max.

CNET called the iPhone 12 mini the "most interesting of the bunch" because of the number of features that it packs into a small body. It felt "incredibly small" in the hand. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is "very big, but not outlandishly so."

TechCrunch said that the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max "doesn't appear exceptionally large" to someone used to larger-sized Android devices, with the size between the mini and the Pro Max being "pronounced." The 6.1-inch middle size feels like a "pretty good sweet spot" for most users.

Full reviews of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max are likely to come out next week ahead of when the devices begin shipping to customers on November 13. Those who want to pre-order will need to do so at 5:00 a.m Pacific Time on Friday, November 6.

Article Link: Ahead of iPhone 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max Pre-Orders, Media Sites Share Hands-On Impressions

 

[motm95]

Initially I was going to get the 12 Pro Max as an upgrade to my XS Max, but after buying a case ahead of time for the 12PM, it was just *that* much bigger that I didn't like the size. Ended up going with the 12 Pro 256GB in Pacific Blue and could not be happier.

 

[xxray]

It looks like the Mini is so small the notification bar icons can't even fit where they do on the 12/Pro/Max

 

[QCassidy352]

I will wait patiently a little longer for my Mini. This week has been all about patience.

 

[GeoStructural]

I am ordering my Pro Max 😍. My alarm is set, my card is ready, color picked (finally went with graphite instead of blue). I can't wait!

 

[Caliber26]

[Caliber26 grabs box of Kleenex]

 

[macfacts]

"iPhone mini hands on", they're holding it wrong

 

[Born Again]

Was all about the mini until it was confirmed the notch is the same size as the other iPhones!!

 

[coolfactor]

Was all about the mini until it was confirmed the notch is the same size as the other iPhones!!

Have you use an iPhone with the notch yet? Seriously, it's a complete non-issue. People have made wayyyyyy too much of a deal out of the notch. You don't even notice it in general use.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

That Pro Max is a beast. Hopefully its too much bigger than the 11 Pro Max as that one felt as if it was at the top of manageable iPhone sizes

 

[Apple_Robert]

14:23 minutes until preorder time but, I am not counting down.

 

[Dellfanboy]

Wow! The mini is perfect! These reviews sealed the deal!

 

[LeadingHeat]

Was all about the mini until it was confirmed the notch is the same size as the other iPhones!!

Did you really expect otherwise though? I mean they wouldn’t have developed a new TrueDepth camera system just for their lowest priced flagship phone. On purpose. To keep R&R costs low. I’m just happy that they were able to pack nearly all the features of the other phones into this small of a form factor. That with the price is a no-brainer for a lot of people.

 

[Born Again]

Have you use an iPhone with the notch yet? Seriously, it's a complete non-issue. People have made wayyyyyy too much of a deal out of the notch. You don't even notice it in general use.

Everyday especially considering that area of the screen is less unusable for videos

 

[Apple_Robert]

A couple of tech paid reviewers stating the obvious, after being able to hold and use the phones for a few moments.

 

[Kram Sacul]

The Mini looks cute and just about the perfect size. The Pro Max is an oversized monster. The SUV of iPhones.

 

[now i see it]

The Max is still not big enough

 

[drew0020]

The Mini looks really small and the Max looks way too big. Geez...

 

[GeoStructural]

Have you use an iPhone with the notch yet? Seriously, it's a complete non-issue. People have made wayyyyyy too much of a deal out of the notch. You don't even notice it in general use.

I do mind it, I don't like the notch at all and I wish Apple got rid of it, however after some time you don't even notice it, that's true.

I also think that the screen area it occupies is rarely that important even in maxed-out video, It is not like you are missing a great deal of information because of it.

 

[macjaffa]

The Mini looks really small and the Max looks way too big. Geez...

if only there was a phone bigger than a iphone 12 mini , and smaller than and iphone 12 max. They could call it iphone 12

 

[Ramrod82]

Hmmm I was going to sell my 12 pro for the max. I’m used to large phones, but now that I have the pro for two weeks I think with a slim case it’s just right. Not sure I need that slight bump in camera. Ugh what to do? Probably wait and see what real reviewers say or wait to see it in person. I’m still shocked how much I like the pro, coming for XS Max. Just give me my leather case!! Ah ha!! I’ll be up in the morning for that for sure!!

 

[decypher44]

Initially I was going to get the 12 Pro Max as an upgrade to my XS Max, but after buying a case ahead of time for the 12PM, it was just *that* much bigger that I didn't like the size. Ended up going with the 12 Pro 256GB in Pacific Blue and could not be happier.

Exactly the same here. Word for word.

 

[Braderunner]

Okay...I’m in love with the BLUE Mini, again.

 

[Kylo83]

Is it just me or does the max look narrow compared to the 11 pro max the corner cuts in smaller on the 12 pro max

 

[Lazlow]

I love how all impressions are describing the mini as "incredibly small" like ok we were just using an iPhone 5S six years ago...

"It's nice to be able to use the whole phone with one hand" the fact that this is being touted as a "feature" baffles me. This should be a basic requirement for a portable device.